Vehicle sun screen

ABSTRACT

A sun screen for placement inside an automobile or truck windshield to reflect sunlight defines a triangular central panel and a pair of wing panels foldable into the vehicle. The sun screen can be folded into a storage configuration with only four folds. A large display area is provided in the storage configuration. A tear away coupon is provided at the location at which the rear view mirror may interfere with the sun screen.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to screens utilized on the interior ofvehicles to reflect the sun's ray out of the vehicle to preventoverheating of the vehicle, and more particularly relates to such ascreen suitable for use inside windshields of cars or trucks.

BACKGROUND ART

Many types of curtains, blinds, and screens have been developed for thepurpose of blocking entry of solar radiation or glare into vehicles Manyprior designs have required permanent installation of a shade or screen,which may be collapsible when use is not desired Some devices arefoldable into the collapsed configuration, while others retract to anon-use position The need for window screens that can be secured inplace temporarily and folded or rolled into a small package for storagehas also been recognized. Prior devices of interest in the field includethose described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,018,498; 2,305,677; 2,804,135;2,855,241; and 3,003,812.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,396 discloses a sunshield intended to be placedinside the windshield of an automobile while the automobile is not inuse. The shield is made of corrugated cardboard scored to permitaccordion folding of the large rectangular sheet into a smaller packagefor storage during operation of the vehicle The package is expanded andslipped behind the rear view mirror to block the windshield, and the sunvisors may also be used to hold the shield in place.

In order to prevent the multiple panel device disclosed in this patentfrom collapsing during use, the foldable connections between panelsextend at right angles from the lower margin of the windshield, that is,vertically. Thus, the shield has no transverse rigidity unless it isfolded across all the accordion folds, which reduces the ability of thedevice to adapt to different windshield shapes and widths. Toaccommodate the fact that most modern cars have windshields that arenarrower at the top than at the bottom, the device must partiallycollapse at the top. The weight distribution of the installed device isthereafter unbalanced, with the result of a tendency of the device tofall away from the window

Another disadvantage of the accordion folded shield is the number offolds required to collapse the device. Seven to nine folds are shown inthe patent Furthermore, the surface available for display of advertisingis quite small when the shield is collapsed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved sun screen that has goodtransverse and vertical rigidity and accommodates readily to the shapeof modern windshields. In the preferred configurations, the sun screenfolds into a compact package for storage in only four folds

Generally described, the present invention provides a vehicle having awindshield, a dashboard or like surface extending below the windshield,and, positioned inside the windshield, a sun screen comprising agenerally triangular central portion positioned adjacent to thewindshield; and a pair of wing members foldably connected to the sidesof the triangular central portion, each angled inwardly with respect tothe plane of the central portion. In one preferred embodiment, the apexof the central portion is positioned near the top center of thewindshield with the base resting along the dashboard. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the apex of the central portion rests on thedashboard, and the base extends along the upper region of the windshield

The sun screen can be made of a sheet of foldable material defining thecentral portion and the wing members, preferably corrugated cardboard orthick paperboard. The wing members are preferably generally triangularpanels. In order to adjust the height or provide a base panel, the sunscreen can further define a first horizontal fold line spaced upwardlyfrom the bottom of the sun screen and/or a second horizontal fold linespaced downwardly from the top of the sun screen.

The invention also provides a sun screen having an expandedconfiguration adapted for placement in a vehicle windshield and a foldedconfiguration for storage, comprising a generally rectangular sheet ofmaterial defining upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower leftcorners, and top and bottom edges; a first fold line extending fromadjacent to the center of the top edge to a point adjacent to the lowerright corner so as to define a generally triangular right wing panelwhich includes the upper right corner; a second fold line extending fromadjacent to the center of the top edge to a point adjacent to the lowerleft corner so as to define a generally triangular left wing panel whichincludes the upper left corner; a third fold line extending fromadjacent to the center of the bottom edge to a point intermediate theends of the first fold line; a fourth fold line extending from adjacentto the center of the bottom edge to a point intermediate the ends of thesecond fold line; a fifth fold line extending from the intersection ofthe first and third fold lines to a point adjacent to the upper rightcorner; and a sixth fold line extending from the intersection of thesecond and fourth fold lines to a point adjacent to the upper leftcorner; the wing panels being foldable about the first and second foldlines to place the fifth fold line along the third fold line and thesixth fold line along the fourth fold line; and the lower corners beingfoldable about the combined third and fifth and the combined fourth andsixth fold lines to positions adjacent to the center of the top edge ofthe sheet, whereby the sun screen is in the folded configuration. Alocking device can be provided, such as a slit for receiving both thebottom corners and retaining them in position adjacent to the center ofthe top edge.

Horizontal fold lines can be provided in the sheet as described above. Ahorizontal fold line spaced a short distance from the bottom edge willassume a position in the folded configuration of the sun screen so as toeffectively weaken the lower corners to make them more easily insertableinto the slit.

Alternately, the invention provides a sun screen having an expandedconfiguration adapted for placement in a vehicle window and a foldedconfiguration for storage, comprising a generally rectangular sheet ofmaterial defining upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower leftcorners, and top and bottom edges; a first fold line extending fromadjacent to the center of the bottom edge to a point adjacent to theupper right corner so as to define a generally triangular right wingpanel which includes the lower right corner; a second fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the bottom edge to a pointadjacent to the upper left corner so as to define a generally triangularleft wing panel which includes the lower left corner; a third fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the top edge to a pointintermediate the ends of the first fold line: a fourth fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the top edge to a pointintermediate the ends of the second fold line; a fifth fold lineextending from the intersection of the first and third fold lines to apoint adjacent to the lower right corner; and a sixth fold lineextending from the intersection of the second and fourth fold lines to apoint adjacent to the lower left corner; the wing panels being foldableabout the first and second fold lines to place the fifth fold line alongthe third fold line and the sixth fold line along the fourth fold line;and the upper corners being foldable about the combined third and fifthand the combined fourth and sixth fold lines to positions adjacent tothe center of the bottom edge of the sheet, whereby the sun screen is inthe folded configuration. The sheet may also include a pair of foldlines across the upper corners so as to define a pair of generallytriangular corner panels. The corner panels may fold into the vehicle toaccommodate narrowing of the windshield, and also weaken the uppercorners for insertion into a locking slit.

The foregoing two alternative configurations of a sun screen embodyingthe invention are similar in construction, while being opposite inorientation in the vehicle. In the first configuration, the wing panelsfold down and in from the upper corners. In the second configuration,the wing panels fold in from the bottom corners, and the sun screentends to be supported on the wing panels, which rest on the dashboard.

The invention also provides a sun screen for a vehicle having awindshield and a rear view mirror assembly mounted adjacent to the topcenter of the windshield, comprising a panel adapted to be placedadjacent to the windshield; and a removable section defined in the panelsuch that the panel fits around the mirror assembly when the removablesection is removed; the removable section comprising a redeemablecoupon.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedinterior sun screen for windshields and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sun screenwhich has horizontal and vertical rigidity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sun screenwhich adapts well to windshields that become narrower at the roof of avehicle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sun screenthat is foldable into a storage configuration with a minimum of folds.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sun screenthat provides a large display area in its storage configuration.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sun screenthat effectively presents promotional information through printedadvertising and redeemable coupons.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sun screenthat effectively reflects sunlight passing through the windshield of aparked automobile or truck.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following detailed description ofembodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the interior side of a blank utilized to form asun screen embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 1 after the wing panels havebeen folded onto the central panel.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the blank of FIGS. 2 and 3 after final foldinginto the storage configuration.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the sun screen of FIG. 1 installed in anautomobile.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of the automobile showing aside view of the installed sun screen.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of an automobile showing thesun screen installed in an alternate configuration.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank used to form a second embodiment of thesun screen of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view of an automobile showing aside view of the sun screen of FIG. 7 installed in the windshield.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the interior side of a blank utilized to form athird embodiment of a sun screen of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 9 after the wing panels havebeen folded onto the central panel.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the blank of FIGS. 9 and 10 after finalfolding into the storage configuration.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross sectional view of an automobile showing aside view of the installed sun screen according to the third embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawing, in which like numeralsrepresent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a sunscreen 10 in the form of a flat blank cut and scored to accomplish thepurpose of the present invention. The blank is generally rectangular inshape, and defines a top edge 15, bottom edge 16, left side edge 17 andright side edge 18. The corners, upper left 20, upper right 21, lowerleft 22 and lower right 23, are rounded. The top edge 15 is slightlybeveled near the corners 20 and 21 at 15a and 15b, respectively, so asto prevent interference of the upper corners upon folding, as shown inFIG. 2.

The dimensions of the blank may be selected to allow the sun screen tofit behind the windshields of most automobiles, or may be custom fit fora particular model of automobile or truck. In the preferred embodimentshown, the side edges are about half the length of the top and bottomedges. One example of dimensions for a sun screen embodying theinvention, not intended to limit the scope of the invention, is a heightof twenty-three inches and a width of forty-seven inches.

The sun screen 10 can be constructed of any suitable foldable material.The preferred material is corrugated cardboard, but stiff paperboard orfoldable plastic sheet material could be used. The invention could alsobe made using rigid material connected with hinges.

Straddling the center point of the top edge 15, a pair of spaced apartcut lines 27 and 28 are optionally cut a short distance into the sheet10. Between them they define a foldable panel 29. A generally horizontalslit 30 is cut in the panel 29 for use as a locking mechanism describedbelow. The terminal points of the slit 30 may be relieved by downwardlycurving cuts as shown. The slit 30 is cut in the same position if thecut lines 27 and 28 are not present.

A generally triangular central panel 26 is defined by a first diagonalfold line 32, which extends from the intersection of the cut line 28 andthe top edge 15 to the lower right corner 23, a second diagonal foldline 33, which extends from the inter section of the cut line 27 and thetop edge 15 to the lower left corner 22, and the bottom edge 16. Thus,the apex of the triangle is at the top center of the blank, the sidesare the fold lines 32 and 33, and the base is the bottom edge 16. Thefold lines 32 and 33 also define right and left wing panels 35 and 36,respectively, and foldably connect the wing panels to the central panel.

A third diagonal fold line segment 40 extends from the center of thebottom edge at point 38 toward the upper right corner 21, atapproximately a forty-five degree angle from the bottom edge,terminating at the first fold line 32. A similar fourth fold linesegment 41 extends from the point 38 to the second fold line 33. Fromthe point at which the segment 40 meets the fold line 32, a fifth foldline segment 42 extends to the right side edge 18 at a point spacedslightly downwardly from the upper right corner 21. The segment 42 ispositioned such that when the right wing panel 35 is folded about thefold line 32 onto the central panel 26, the segment 42 will lie alongthe segment 40, as shown in FIG. 2. A sixth fold line segment 43 issimilarly positioned extending from the second fold line 33 to a pointspaced from the upper left corner 20. The segment 43 lies along thesegment 41 when the left wing panel 36 is folded as shown in FIG. 2.

The blank is crossed by two optional horizontal fold lines, the functionof which is described below. A first horizontal fold line 45 is parallelto and spaced upwardly from the bottom edge 16. Fold line 45 mayadvantageously be placed at about one quarter of the distance from thebottom edge to the top edge. A base panel 46 is defined along the bottomof the blank by the fold line 45. A second horizontal fold line 47extends across the blank parallel to the top edge, preferably spaced atabout one-quarter of the distance from the top edge to the bottom edge.

The fold lines of the preferred embodiment described above arepositioned to permit folding of the blank into a storage configurationshown in FIG. 3. Thus, the first and second diagonal fold lines 32 and33 each form angles a of about 50 degrees with the top and bottom edges.The third and fourth fold lines 40 and 41 meet the fold lines 32 and 33,respectively, at angles b (opening toward the bottom edge) of about 85degrees. The fifth and sixth fold lines 42 and 43 also meet the foldlines 32 and 33, respectively, at angles b (opening toward the sideedges) of about 85 degrees. The second and third fold lines 40 and 41form angles c of about 45 degrees with the bottom edge. Finally, thefifth and sixth fold lines 42 and 43 form angles d of about 55 degreeswith the side edges. The scope of the invention is not intended to belimited to the above set of angles.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sequence of steps for folding thesun screen 10 into a storage configuration is shown. An advantage of thepresent invention is that only four folds are required to collapse thesun screen 10 into its storage configuration. Initially, the right andleft wing panels 35 and 36 are folded about the first and second foldlines 32 and 33, respectively, onto the central panel 26. The trimmedsections 15a and 15b of the top edge meet at the center of the blank,and the fold line segments 42 and 43 lie along the segments 40 and 41,respectively. This intermediate configuration is shown in FIG. 2. Then,the lower corners 22 and 23 are folded about the double fold lines 41/43and 40/42 to place the lower corners in positions slightly overlying theslit 30 adjacent to the top center of the blank. The folded sun screennow is generally in the shape of a quadrilateral with the halves of thebottom edge 16 lying adjacent to one another diagonally across thequadrilateral.

The bottom corners 22 and 23 may now be inserted through the slit 30 toretain or lock the sun screen in its storage configuration, as shown inFIG. 3. Slight bending of the two-layer corners prior to insertion intothe slit is facilitated by the configuration of the horizontal fold line45. After folding, the outside end portions of the fold line 45 crossthe inner layer of the folded corners, as shown in dotted lines in FIG.3. A weakening is thus created, making it easier to bend a smalltriangular portion adjacent to the corners 22 and 23 for insertion intothe slot 30.

In the storage configuration, the sun screen 10 is compact enough toeasily stow on or under a seat in the vehicle, but provides a largedisplay area consisting of a quadrilateral bounded by the fold lines 32,33, 40 an 41, on the reverse side from that shown in FIG. 3.

The sun screen 10 is intended for use most effectively in the windshieldof an automobile or truck, although it may also be placed inside therear window of a vehicle or other windows. FIG. 4 shows the sun screen10 installed inside the windshield 51 of a car 50. Also shown are othertypical components of the car 50, namely, a dashboard 54 or similarplatform extending along the base of the windshield 51, a rear viewmirror 56 extending down from a roof 52, and a pair of sun visors 58pivotally attached to the roof on either side of the mirror 56.

Although the preferred embodiment of the sun screen shown in FIGS. 1-3defines many fold lines, only fold lines defining a generally triangularcentral portion and wing panels connected to the sides of the triangleare required to practice the present invention. As will be seen bycomparing the foregoing description to the third embodiment below, thewing panels may fold inwardly from the upper corners or from the bottomcorners.

In the first preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the bottom edge 16,forming the base of the triangular central portion 26, rests along thedashboard 54. The apex of the central portion 26 is positioned betweenthe rear view mirror 56 and the windshield 51. If helpful in fitting thescreen with respect to the mirror 56, the cut lines 27 and 28 may beprovided, allowing the panel 29 to fold to accommodate the mirror. Thewing panels 35 and 36 are folded slightly into the car to accommodatethe narrowing of the windshield near the roof, best seen in FIG. 4. Thesun visors 58 can be partially lowered to engage the top edges of thewing panels in order to assist in keeping the sun screen in position.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the sun screen 10 installed in thewindshield. The wing panels present a reflecting surface which iscapable of catching sunlight entering from the side, as well as thefront, of the automobile.

If the windshield is shorter than the sun screen 10, the sun screen canbe folded about the fold line 45, as shown in FIG. 6. The base panel 46thus rests on the dashboard 54. The angle formed between the base panel46 and the remainder of the sun screen in this configuration preventssignificant inward folding of the wing panels 35 and 36.

When the operator of the vehicle is ready to drive it, the sun screen 10can easily be removed from the windshield and folded into the storageconfiguration with only four folds, as described above in connectionwith FIGS. 2 and 3.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.A sun screen 60 defines a central triangular portion 62 which does notextend the entire height of the blank forming the sun screen. Ahorizontal fold line 66 may optionally be formed at the base of thetriangular portion 62. Similarly, a pair of diagonal fold lines 64 and65 extend from the apex of the triangle only to the height of its base,forming wing panels 70 and 72. A horizontal fold line 77 divides theportion of the blank below the triangular portion into a pair of basepanels 75 and 78. While wing panels similar to those of the firstembodiment are provided, the sun screen of the second embodiment cannotbe folded into similar storage configuration.

FIG. 8 shows a typical installation of the sun screen 60 in a windshieldThe base panel 78 rests on the dashboard 54, and the apex of thetriangular portion 62 is positioned behind the rear view mirror 56. Thewing panels 70 and 72 bend inwardly to accommodate the narrowing of thewindshield but do not extend down to the dashboard. In the case of ashorter windshield, the blank can be folded at the line 66, in which theconfiguration in the windshield is similar to the sun screen 10 as shownin FIG. 4.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9-12. FIG.9 shows a sun screen 100 in the form of a flat blank cut and scored toaccomplish the purpose of the present invention. The blank is generallyrectangular in shape, and defines a bottom edge 115, top edge 116, leftside edge 117 and right side edge 118. The corners, lower left 120,lower right 121, upper left 122 and upper right 123, are rounded. Thebottom edge 115 is slightly beveled near the corners 120 and 121 at 115aand 115b respectively, so as to prevent interference of the lowercorners upon folding, as shown in FIG. 10. The side edges 117 and 118are also slightly beveled near the corners 122 and 123 to make the widthof the sun screen 100 somewhat narrower so as to fit better at the topof automobile windshields.

A generally triangular central panel 126 is defined by a first diagonalfold line 132, which extends from a point, spaced a short distance fromthe midpoint of the bottom edge 115 toward the side edge 118, to theupper right corner 123; by a second diagonal fold line 133, whichextends from a point, spaced a similar amount on the other side of themidpoint of the bottom edge 115, to the upper left corner 122; and bythe top edge 116. Thus, the apex of the triangle is at the bottom centerof the blank, the sides are the fold lines 132 and 133, and the base isthe top edge 116. The fold lines 132 and 133 also define right and leftwing panels 135 and 136, respectively, and foldably connect the wingpanels to the central panel.

A third diagonal fold line segment 140 extends from the center of thetop edge 116 at point 138 toward the lower right corner 121, atapproximately a forty-five degree angle from the top edge, terminatingat the first fold line 132. A similar fourth fold line segment 141extends from the point 138 to the second fold line 133. From the pointat which the segment 140 meets the fold line 132, a fifth fold linesegment 142 extends to the right side edge 118 at a point spacedslightly upperwardly from the lower right corner 121. The segment 142 ispositioned such that when the right wing panel 135 is folded about thefold line 132 onto the central panel 126, the segment 142 will lie alongthe segment 140, as shown in FIG. 10. A sixth fold line segment 143 issimilarly positioned extending from the second fold line 133 to a pointspaced from the lower left corner 120. The segment 143 lies along thesegment 141 when the left wing panel 136 is folded as shown in FIG. 10.

Adjacent to the bottom center of the blank, between the points at whichthe fold lines 132 and 133 intersect the bottom edge 115, a generallyhorizontal slit 154 is cut in the central panel 126. The terminal pointsof the slit 154 may be relieved by downwardly curving cuts as shown,thereby creating a flap of material that may be folded out of the planeof the blank to form a slot for use as a locking mechanism describedbelow.

The blank may optionally be provided with a removable section 130located at the top center of the blank. The section 130 is defined byperforated tear scores 127, 128 and 129, which form, with the top edge116, a rectangular section of the blank material. This section 130 maybe manually removed from the remainder of the blank by tearing along thetear scores. However, this need only be done if necessary to accommodatea rear view mirror assembly 56 which in some vehicles may block theinstallation of the sun screen. Preferably, the top edge 116 is recessedas at 131 at the location of the section 130. A hole 155 is cut throughthe blank in the center of the section 130 for handing the sun screenprior to removal of the section 130. The recess 131 exposes the hole 155in the folded configuration of the sun screen, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable section 130is printed with indicia rendering the section 130 useful as a discountcoupon redeemable in the conventional manner. Thus, the sun screen 100may provide display space for advertising as well as a promotionalcoupon associated with a functional element of the sun screen.

The blank is crossed by two optional horizontal fold lines, the functionof which is similar to that of the horizontal fold lines 45 and 47 ofthe first embodiment. A first horizontal fold line 145 is parallel toand spaced downwardly from the top edge 116. Fold line 145 mayadvantageously be placed at about one-quarter of the distance from thetop edge to the bottom edge. A second horizontal fold line 147 extendsacross the blank parallel to the bottom edge, preferably spaced at aboutone-quarter of the distance from the bottom edge to the top edge. A basepanel 148 is defined along the bottom of the blank by the fold line 147.

The blank also includes optional seventh and eighth diagonal fold lines150 and 151. The fold line 150 extends from the top edge 116 to the sideedge 118 spaced inwardly from the upper right corner 123, crossing foldlines 132 and 145, and forming an upper right corner panel 152. The foldline 151 extends from the top edge 116 to the side edge 117 spacedinwardly from the upper left corner 122, crossing fold lines 133 and145, and forming an upper left corner panel 153. The upper corner panelsyield to fit narrow windshields, and the fold lines 150 and 151 assistwhen the blank is locked in its folded configuration, as explainedbelow.

The fold lines of the preferred embodiment described above arepositioned to permit folding of the blank into a storage configurationshown in FIG. 11. Thus, the first and second diagonal fold lines 132 and133 each form angles a of about 50 degrees with the top and bottomedges. The third and fourth fold lines 140 and 141 meet the fold lines132 and 133, respectively, at angles b (opening toward the top edge) ofabout 85 degrees. The fifth and sixth fold lines 142 and 143 also meetthe fold lines 132 and 133, respectively, at angles b (opening towardthe side edges) of about 85 degrees. The second and third fold lines 140and 141 form angles c of about 145 degrees with the top edge. The fifthand sixth fold lines 142 and 143 form angles d of about 55 degrees withthe side edges. The seventh and eighth fold lines 150 and 151 formangles e of about 90 degrees with the fold lines 132 and 133,respectively. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limitedto the above set of angles.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sequence of steps for folding thesun screen 100 into a storage configuration is shown. As was the casewith the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, an advantage of thepresent invention is that only four folds are required to collapse thesun screen 100 into its storage configuration. Initially, the right andleft wing panels 135 and 136 are folded about the first and second foldlines 132 and 133, respectively onto the central panel 126. The trimmedsections 115a and 115b of the bottom edge meet at the center of theblank, and the fold line segments 142 and 143 lie along the segments 140and 141, respectively. This intermediate configuration is shown in FIG.10. Then, the upper corners 122 and 123 are folded about the double foldlines 141/143 and 140/142 to place the upper corners in positionsslightly overlying the slit 154 adjacent to the bottom center of theblank. The folded sun screen now is generally in the shape of aquadrilateral with the halves of the top edge 116 lying adjacent to oneanother diagonally across the quadrilateral.

The top corners 122 and 123 may now be inserted through the slit 154 toretain or lock the sun screen in its storage configuration, as shown inFIG. 11. Slight bending of the two-layer corners prior to insertion intothe slit is facilitated by the configuration of the fold lines 150 and151. After folding, the fold lines 150 and 151 are folded ontothemselves about fold lines 132 and 133, respectively. A weakening isthus created, making it easier to bend a small triangular portionadjacent to the corners 122 and 123 for insertion into the slot 154.

The sun screen 100 is shown installed in a vehicle windshield in FIG.12. The wing panel 136 is folded toward the interior of the vehicle, andthe upper corner panel 153 has also yielded inwardly to fit thenarrowing profile (not shown) of the vehicle. The bottom edge 115 restson the dashboard 54 and is folded with the wing panels. Thus, the wingpanels are positioned as struts which assist in supporting the sunscreen in an upright position

Thus, it will be understood that a sun screen embodying the presentinvention has good transverse and vertical rigidity and accommodatesreadily to the shape of modern windshields. The sun screen folds readilyinto a compact package for storage with a minimum number of folds, andpresents a large area for the printing of messages or advertising.

While this invention has been described in detail with particularreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinbefore and as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle having a transverse window, a surfaceextending below said window, and a sun screen formed of a stiff,foldable sheet material, positioned inside said window, said sun screencomprising:a generally triangular central portion positioned adjacent tosaid window and resting on said surface with the apex of said triangularcenter portion positioned adjacent to the top center of said window andthe base of said triangular central portion extending parallel to saidsurface; and a pair of wing members foldably connected to the sides ofsaid triangular central portion, each of said wing members comprising agenerally triangular panel extending along said central portion form itsapex to one of its base corners, and each of said wing members beingangled inwardly with respect to the plane of said central portion. 2.The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said sun screen further defines a firsthorizontal fold line spaced inwardly from the base of said centralportion
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said sun screen furtherdefines a second horizontal fold line spaced inwardly from the apex ofsaid central portion.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising afirst horizontal fold line spaced inwardly from the base of said centralportion and crossing said wing members.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4,further comprising a second horizontal fold line spaced inwardly fromthe apex of said central portion and crossing said wing members.
 6. Thevehicle of claim 1, further comprising a pair of generally triangularcorner panels formed at the upper corners of said sum screen, each ofsaid corner panels being foldable inwardly with respect to the plane ofsaid central portion
 7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising aremovable section positioned midway along the top edge of said centralportion adjacent to the top center of said window.
 8. The vehicle ofclaim 7, wherein said removable section comprises a redeemable coupon.9. A sun screen having an expanded configuration adapted for placementin a vehicle window and a folded configuration for storage, comprising:agenerally rectangular sheet of material defining upper right, upperleft, lower right, and lower left corners, and top and bottom edges; afirst fold line extending from adjacent to the center of the top edge toa point adjacent to the lower right corner so as to define a generallytriangular right wing panel which includes the upper right corner; asecond fold line extending from adjacent to the center of the top edgeto a point adjacent to the lower left corner so as to define a generallytriangular left wing panel which includes the upper left corner; a thirdfold line extending from adjacent to the center of the bottom edge to apoint intermediate the ends of said first fold line; a fourth fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the bottom edge to a pointintermediate the ends of said second fold line; a fifth fold lineextending from the intersection of the first and third fold lines to apoint adjacent to the upper right corner; and a sixth fold lineextending from the intersection of the second and fourth fold lines to apoint adjacent to the upper left corner; said wing panels being foldableabout said first and second fold lines to place said fifth fold linealong said third fold line and said sixth fold line along said fourthfold line; and said lower corners being foldable about said combinedthird and fifth and said combined fourth and sixth fold lines topositions adjacent to the center of said top edge of said sheet, wherebysaid sun screen is in said folded configuration.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising locking means for retaining said lowercorners in positions adjacent to the center of said top edge.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein said locking means comprises a slit insaid sheet positioned to receive said lower corners.
 12. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein said sun screen further defines a first horizontalfold line spaced upwardly from the bottom edge of said sheet.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein said sun screen further defines a secondhorizontal fold line spaced downwardly from the top edge of said sheet.14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first horizontal fold lineis positioned to lie adjacent to each of said lower corners when saidlower corners are folded to said position adjacent to the center of saidtop edge, so as to facilitate bending of said lower corners forinsertion into said slit.
 15. A sun screen having an expandedconfiguration adapted for placement in a vehicle window and a foldedconfiguration for storage, comprising:a generally rectangular sheet ofmaterial defining upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower leftcorners, and top and bottom edges; a first fold line extending fromadjacent to the center of the bottom edge to a point adjacent to theupper right corner so as to define a generally triangular right wingpanel which includes the lower right corner; a second fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the bottom edge to a pointadjacent to the upper left corner so as to define a generally triangularleft wing panel which includes the lower left corner; a third fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the top edge to a pointintermediate the ends of said first fold line; a fourth fold lineextending from adjacent to the center of the top edge to a pointintermediate the ends of said second fold line; a fifth fold lineextending from the intersection of the first and third fold lines to apoint adjacent to the lower right corner; and a sixth fold lineextending from the intersection of the second and fourth fold lines to apoint adjacent to the lower left corner; said wing panels being foldableabout said first and second fold lines to place said fifth fold linealong said third fold line and said sixth fold line along said fourthfold line; and said upper corners being foldable about said combinedthird and fifth and said combined fourth and sixth fold lines topositions adjacent to the center of said bottom edge of said sheet,whereby said sun screen is in said folded configuration.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, further comprising locking means for retainingsaid upper corners in positions adjacent to the center of said bottomedge.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said locking meanscomprises a slit in said sheet positioned to receive said upper corners.18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said sun screen further defines afirst horizontal fold line spaced downwardly from the top edge of saidsheet.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said sun screen furtherdefines a second horizontal fold line spaced upwardly from the bottomedge of said sheet.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising aseventh fold line across the upper right corner region of said sheet soas to define a generally triangular right corner panel
 21. The apparatusof claim 15, further comprising an eighth fold line across the upperleft corner region of said sheet so as to define a generally triangularleft corner panel.
 22. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising aremovable section extending inwardly from the center of the top edge ofsaid sheet, said removable section comprising a redeemable coupon.
 23. Asun screen formed of a stiff, foldable, sheet material, having anexpanded configuration adapted for placement in a vehicle window and afolded configuration for storage comprising:a generally triangularcentral portion; and a pair of wing members foldably connected to thesides of said triangular central portion, each of said wing memberscomprising a generally triangular panel extending along said centralportion from its apex to one of its base corners; said central portionand said wing members defining fold lines enabling said wing members tofold into engagement with said central portion and the base corners ofsaid central portion to fold a position adjacent to the apex of saidcentral portion, whereby said sun screen is in said foldedconfiguration.
 24. The sun screen of claim 23, further comprisinglocking means for retaining the base corners of said central portionadjacent to its apex.
 25. The sun screen of claim 24, wherein saidlocking means is formed in sheet material.